The Quarterdeck.

We are pleased to welcome you aboard. In nautical terms this web page has been launched but  periodically returns to the yard to undergo fitting out. Feel free to wander around.

"We've plenty of sea room, Captain."

All Sea Captains had books in their cabin that informed and entertained them, books about the sea, ships, history, and the places where they might go. Having sea room brought the Captain and crew an opportunity to relax, to sit back and prepare for the next lee shore, to update the log, to read, to write reports or summaries for those who may follow. Some of the earliest books we have resulted from seamen describing the world beyond to land-locked countrymen. And now we can read what the world was like then through their writings and nautical adventures. And, yes, still marvel at their audacity to go to sea in the vessels of their time.

Today we can also turn to a nautical novelist that ranks in the forefront of literature: Patrick O'Brian. My generation was weaned on Treasure Island, discovered Horatio Hornblower as a teen, and in their maturity find the genre of nautical tales revitalized by a series of 20 Patrick O'Brian novels that envelope the reader in a new and special world of the wooden sailing ship. POB provides a continuous story that extends over 8000 pages and that places two friends at sea facing adversity together with a supporting cast of hundreds of characters, each as alive as those friends you saw today. POB's artistry is such that most readers learn vast amounts of nautical lore, geography, history, and the social mores of that time without ever the feeling of being "taught."

Where is Sea Room Webpage headed?

In point of fact, we don't have a compete picture of what Sea Room's web page should be. Any suggestions would be welcomed and we'll make a point of personally thanking you. We do know that we want to complement the other Sea Room services. We know we will not repeat services offered by others when we can point you there with a hearty recommendation. We'll have a place to keep you inform of Sea Room's books and to provide access to "the best of scuttlebutt." And we will provide the graphics so sorely needed on scuttlebutt but remain sensitive to the fact that graphics is the main reason for making WWW mean World Wide Wait. These will include an archive of the free Sea Room Newsletters

Patrick O'Brian's multi-volume character portrait of Jack Aubrey, a Captain in the Royal Navy who shares ships and adventures with his friend Stephen Maturin, provided the inspiration to find the Horatio Hornblower series again and then to seek out other old favorites until it became clear just how big the niche of "books about old sailing ships" really is. Sea Room will seek out and provide all the publications (and other artifacts) that contribute to helping new generations understand and enjoy the old wooden sailing ships.  Please spend a few minutes exploring Sea Room's site and learn what books we found and how our many books, prints, shanty CDs, and other items interrelate.

Objective: To encourage discussions about wooden sailing ships and their literature.

The genre of sailing fiction, and not just the historical novel, has surged recently--perhaps encouraged by Patrick O'Brian's critical and commercial success.   Sea Room will maintain a list of potential article and book markets, identify and cooperate with their editors, and foster such discussion.

Become a Frequent Reader!

To obtain the latest free Sea Room newsletter, register as a Frequent Reader,
email your postal address.

Most books are discounted and you get your discount with your first order.